Reflection
It is important now that we be able to heal together as a nation. We need the inner strength to assess ourselves and to try to look at others with understanding. There are wide differences among us and to achieve healing we have to respect and value our commonalities. Most people are well meaning and good though flawed including ourselves. It is time to put vitriol and derisive words aside. We need a dedication to respect and kindness toward others and a personal refusal to harm anyone by words or action. Not everyone will support this. We will not change opinions and choices. But this is what we are called to be and we can work to improve our relationships. It is the way to move forward and work for the common good.
Prayer
May peace and harmony prevail.
Action
Work to restore your own inner peace. Begin to build harmony within your own circle of family and friends. Support efforts to build unity in this nation. Do not support those who foment anger and division whether they be local or national.
Suggested Reading
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God.
Matthew 5:9
No one can possess the whole truth or satisfy his or her every desire, since that pretension would lead to nullifying others by denying their rights.
Pope Francis
The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
An eye for an eye will only make the whole world blind.
Mahatma Gandhi
Political civility is not about being polite to each other. It’s about reclaiming the power of ‘We the People’ to come together, debate the common good and call American democracy back to its highest values amid our differences.
Parker Palmer
We simply must find ways both to bridge the differences that still seem to divide us and focus on the things that we share.
Janet Reno
The most important political office is that of the private citizen.
Louis D. Brandeis
We need to seek wise leaders who will seek common ground among Americans instead of dividing us further for political gain. As citizens, we must embrace those who embrace ideas, thoughtfulness, civility and kindness to others no matter what their political beliefs.
James McGreevey
Let’s set aside our political and ideological differences and take a moment to love our families, hug our children, parents and grandparents and through love and respect, strengthen the bonds that made us the greatest nation on Earth.
James Lankford
The saddest part of the human race is we’re obsessed with this idea of ‘us and them,’ which is really a no-win situation, whether it’s racial, cultural, religious or political.
Dave Matthews